Stereoscope.



' PATENTED JAN. 14, 1908. E. E. CLARK.

STBRBOSGOPE. APPLICATION FILED APB.8.1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witnesses THE NORRIS PETzRsco WASHINGTON, n. c

.329. PATENTBD JAN. 14. 1908.

E. E. CLARK.

.STEREOSOOPB.

APPLIQATION FILED APR. 9.1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l/IIWIIZZI lllllllllllll -Illlll lllllll Inventor,

1n: NORRIS PETERS ca., WASHINCTON, u. c.

ELLSWORTH E. CLARK, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

STEREOSCOPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1908.

Application filed April 8, 1907. Serial No. 367063.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLsWoRTH E. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stereoscopes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in stereoscopes.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide in a stereoscope an improved construction and arrangement of the parts which may be formed of sheet metal and assembled without the use of rivets or solder. Second, to provide an improved stereoscope made of sheet metal which is very light, and at the same time very strong and rigid. Third, to provide in a stereoscope an improved lens holder. Fourth, to provide in a stereoscope an improved picture holder. Fifth, to provide in a stereoscope an improved handle.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention bythe devices and means described in the following specification.

. the shaft.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 1s a detall sectlon taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1, showing details of construction of the slide or picture holder. Fig. 3 is an inside elevation of the lens holder. Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 44 of Fig. 1, showing details of the septum or division plate and the means for connecting the detachable handle to the shaft. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of the handle removed from Fig. 6 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 66 of Figs. 1 and 3, showing structural details of the lens holder, hood, and division plate or septum. Fig. 7 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 7-7 of Fig. 6, showing details of the septum or division plate. Fig. 8 is a detail section of the picture holder, taken on a line corresponding to line 88 of shaft together.

Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail taken on a line corresponding to line 99 of Fig. 6, showing the details of the hood and shaft connections. Fig. 10 is an elevation of a modification in which the handle is provided with a wooden hand-piece.

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the shaft 1 is formed of sheet metal, its edges 2 being beaded to strengthen the same and also to add to its appearance. The slide or picture holder 3 is formed of a piece of sheet metal having its ends turned upwardly into arms 4,-which are slotted to receive the picture, the upper ends of the arms being turned outwardly at 5. The edges .of the slide are turned downwardly and are slotted at 3 to receive the shaft. The spring retaining plate is provided with tongues 8 at each end, which are arranged through suitable slots in the holder to secure the retaining plate thereto. The retaining plate is curved upwardly to engage the under side of the shaft, thereby forming a spring for holding it in its adjusted'position on the shaft. A-fingerpiece 9 is turned down at one edge of the retaining plate, as clearly appears from the drawing. I thus secure a picture holder or slide which may be formed of sheet metal, and which is at the same time economical to produce and light in weight.

The rear end of the shaft is turned up into a flange 19. The lens plate 10 rests on the rear end of this shaft against this flange and is secured to the shaft by tongues. 20 on its lower edge arranged through the shaft. The edges of the lens plate are turned rearwardly into a flange 17, into which the hood. 15, which is formed of one piece of sheet metal, is fitted. The hood is provided with retaining tongues 16 on its forward edge, which are arranged through suitable slots in the lens plate and turned rearwardly, as clearly appears in Fig. 6. This secures the hood to the lens plate in a simple and effective manner, and, at the same time, produces a perfect joint.

The septum or division plate 21 serves to brace and aid in securing the lens plate and The septum is formed of a piece of sheet metal, A-shaped in cross section having retaining tongues 22 on eacharm thereof inserted through the shaft. The septum is secured to the lens plate by tongues 22 arranged therethrough. By thus forming the septum and connecting it to the adjacent parts, it not only serves its function as a septum or division plate but also serves to very effectively connect and brace the parts. The rear edge of the hood is suitably conformed to and is preferably provided with a cover 18 of felt or other suitable material. The lenses 12 are carried by the lens pockets 11, which are also formed of sheet metal and are preferably secured to the lens plate by the retaining tongues 13 arranged therethrough. The lenses are supported in the pockets by means of the spring 14 formed byslitting and punching up parts of the lens plate, as clearly appears in Figs. 3 and 6. Four of these springs are preferably provided to engage the lens at each corner holding it firmly in the pocket, preventing the necessity of accurate fitting of the parts. A further very great advantage of this construction is that the lenses are not likely to be injured in the assembling of the structure. This lens holder is very economical to produce and is at the same time entirely satisfactory, as,.it holds the lens in a highly satisfactory manner.

I preferably provide my improved stereoscope with a detachable handle 24. This I preferably form entirely of wire, the wire being bent into a suitable loop to form the hand-piece and its ends being bent inwardly at 25 to form shoulders to engage the under side of the shaft and turned forwardly into engaging fingers 26. On the shaft I provide a strap 23 preferably by slitting and punching down a portion thereof adapted to recelve these engaging fingers when they are brought together, as clearly appears in Fig. 4. The handle is so formed that the engaging fingers of its shank tend to normally sprlng apart, so that they are held in the strap by spring tension. In the modified construction shown in Fig. 10, I provide a wood handle portion 27 for the handle, the shank portion being substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 4.

By arranging the parts as I have illustrated and described, I provide, a stereoscope which is light, economical in material and labor, and, at the same time, one which is attractive in appearance.

I have illustrated and described the same in detail in the form preferred by me on account of the structural sim licity and convenience and economy. 1 am, however, aware that it is capable of considerable variation in structural details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

edge passed through said shaft; a hood fitted.

into said flange on said lens plate, and hav ing retaining tongues atits forward edge passed through said lens plate; and a sheet metal septum A-shaped in cross section having retaining tongues on its loweredges passed through said shaft and on its rear end passed through said lens plate.

2. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft formed of sheet metal having an upturned flange at its rear end; a sheet metal lens plate having a rearwardly turned flange at its edge arranged to rest on said shaft against the said flange thereof, said lens plate having retaining tongues on its lower edge passed through said shaft; a hood fitted into said flange on said lens plate, and

having retaining tongues at its forward edge passed through said lens plate; and a sheet metal septum having retaining tongues on its lower edge passed through said shaft and on its rear end passed through said lens plate.

3. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft formed of sheet metal having an upturned flange at its rear end; a sheet metal lens plate having a rearwardly turned flange at its edge arranged to rest on said shaft against the said flange thereof, said lens plate having retaining tongues on its lower edge passed through said shaft; and a hood fitted into said flange on said lens plate, and having retaining tongues at its forward edge passed through said lens plate.

4. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft formed of sheet metal having an upturned flange at its rear end; a sheet metal lens plate having a rearwadly turned flange at'its edge arranged to rest on said shaft against the said flange thereof, said lens plate having retaining tongues on its lower edge passed through said shaft; a hood; and a sheet metal septum A-shaped in cross section having retaining tongues on its lower edges passed through said shaft and on its rear end passed through said lens plate.

5. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft formed of sheet metal having an upturned flange at its rear end; a sheet metal lens platehaving a rearwardly turned flange at its edge arranged to rest on said shaft against the said flange thereof, said lens plate having retaining tongues on its lower edge passed through said shaft; ahood; and a sheet metal septum having retaining tongues on its lower edge passed through said shaft and on its rear end passed through said lens plate.

6. In a'stereoscope, the combination of a shaft formed of sheet metal having an upat its edge secured to said shaft; and a sheet metal hood fitted into said flange on said lens plate having retaining tongues at its forward edge passed through said lens plate.

8. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft formed of sheet metal; a sheet metal lens plate secured to said shaft; a hood; and a sheet metal septum A-shaped in cross section having retaining tongues on its lower edges passed through said shaft and at its rear end passed through said lens plate.

9. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft formed of sheet metal; a sheet metal lens plate secured to said shaft; a hood; and a sheet metal septum A-shaped in cross section secured to said shaft and said lens plate.

10. In a stereoscope, the combinationof a sheet metal lens plate; a lens pocket formed of sheet metal having retaining tongues at its rear edges adapted to be arranged through said lens plate; and a plurality of lens-engaging springs formed integrally with said lens plate, said springs being adapted to coact with said pocket in retaining a lens.

11. In a stereoscope, the combination of a sheet metal lens plate; a lens pocket formed of sheet metal secured to said lens plate; and a plurality of lens-engaging springs formed integrally with said lens plate, said springs being adapted 'to coact with said pocket in retaining a lens.

12. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft; a slide or picture holder formed of sheet metal having downturned flanged edges, said edges being slitted to form a socket for said shaft; and a retaining spring formed of sheet metal secured to said holder by'retaining tongues at each end thereof, said retaining spring'being curved upwardly to engage the under side of said shaft; and a downwardly-projecting finger piece formed integral with said retaining spring.

13. In a stereoscope, the combination of a shaft; a slide of picture holder formed of sheet metal having downturned flanged edges,

said edges being slitted to form a socket for said shaft; and a retaining spring formed of sheet metal secured to said holder, said retaining spring being curved upwardly to engage the under side of said shaft; and a downwardly-projecting finger piece formed integral with said' retaining spring.

14. In a stereoscope, the combination With a sheet metal shaft, of a handle formed of a single piece of wire bent into a loop, said handle having a shank portion formed by bending the ends of said wire to form shoulders 25 and fingers 26, said fingers being adapted to normally separate or spring a art; and a strap or loop on the under side 0' said shaft adapted to receive said fingers when brought together, formed by punching down a portion of the body thereof.

15. In a stereoscope, the combination with a sheet metal shaft, of a handle formed of a single piece of wire bent into a loop, the said handle having a shank portion formed by bending the ends of said wire to form shoulders 25 and fingers 26, said fingers being adapted to normally separate or spring apart; and a strap or loop on the under side of said shaft adapted to receive said fingers whenbrought together.

16. In a stereoscope, the combination with a sheet metal shaft, of a handle, said handle having a shank portion formed of wire bent to form shoulders 25 and fingers 26, said fingers being adapted to normally separate or spring a art; and a strap or loop on the under si e of said shaft adapted to receive, said fingers when brought together, formed 

